V3I3P44

Effect of plantain peels on the yield of Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.)

Kiridi, E. A^1*, Ombu, P. E²

Abstract

The research aimed at assessing the impact of the application of plantain peel on the growth and production of pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) in the wet tropical climate of Bayelsa state. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used to perform the experiment with five levels of plantain peel treatment: 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 t/ha, three replications. Growth characteristics like plant height, leaf count, and time taken to flowering and yield parameters like fruit number, weight of fruit, and total yield per hectare were recorded. The application of plantain peels significantly (p < 0.05) increased the values of all measured growth and yield parameters when compared to the control treatment. The maximum yield of 6.8 t/ha was recorded in the plot treated with 10.0 t/ha of plantain peels, followed by 7.5 t/ha, which pointed out that organic amendment made nutrient availability, soil fertility, and microbial activity all improved. The higher yield was caused by the balanced release of the essential nutrients and the physical properties of the soil being improved. It is concluded that plantain peel is a phenomenal, eco-friendly and locally accessible organic fertilizer that not only promotes pepper yield sustainably but also lessens the dependency on synthetic fertilizers. The application of 10 t/ha is thus recommended for optimum field performance and sustainable soil management.

Keywords:

Plantain peel, pepper yield, organic fertilizer, nutrient recycling, sustainable agriculture